Compare 12/80 and 42/36
1st number: 12/80, 2nd number: 1 6/36
12/80 is smaller than 42/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 80 and 36 is 720
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 720 - For the 1st fraction, since 80 × 9 = 720,
12/80 = 12 × 9/80 × 9 = 108/720 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 20 = 720,
42/36 = 42 × 20/36 × 20 = 840/720 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 108/720 < 840/720 or 12/80 < 42/36
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